Too Much of a Good Thing????

Yesterday we made the 13 hour trek back home after visiting Mike's family in Monticello (more on the trip later)for the past week. Thank goodness for the new portable DVD player we got for the trip. I think Blake watched "Cars" about 5 times. Both kids were actually pretty good. A whole day watching movies and treats galore...Blake was in heaven for the most part. He also managed to swallow about 10 pieces of gum. Should I be worried about this????????

p.s. Orbit Mint Mojito-not so good

Mango Dos Leches

I'm always on the lookout for good new recipes to try out. Sometimes, these recipes yield yummy results, and sometimes they turn out kind of nasty. The above pictures are of a kind of nasty treat that I tried out on Jean's family. It sounded really good- Mango Dos Leches cake was supposed to be a light cake which soaked up a concoction of mango puree, sweetened condensed milk, and milk. I had really good sweet mangoes that I used and I was really excited about it. It turned out to be "mango soup". Sorry everyone. Better luck next time. This is how it was supposed to look.

We still had a fun time. Blake got to see his "Spanish" cousins who are here visiting this month and that was a treat.

OXYMORON OF THE DAY

I pass by this sign almost everyday, and every time I see it I want to laugh. Clean dirt as opposed to..........dirty dirt!

Welcome to Northern California- Home of Pixie Woods and other exciting places.

We just returned from a great weekend visiting my brother and Mike's brother who both live in Northern California. We had a blast. Robert and Emily took us to a very fascinating playland for kids that has been around since 1955 Pixie Woods. Isn't that gnome/troll guy kind of creepy. We had fun and admission was only 3 bucks. Blake and Rachel especially enjoyed playing in the water there. Blake followed Rachel around everywhere and loved playing with her.

We also saw some old friends which was fun. Mike's old roommate Brooks lives really close to Robert and we got to meet his new wife AmyAnn-love her- good choice Brooks:)

After a few days with Robert and Fam we headed out to Geoff's near San Fran. They just bought a house -quite an accomplishment for anyone who lives in the Bay area and it was fun seeing it. I only wish I would have taken a picture of the fascinating bathroom. The old lady who lived there before them built on an addition to her bathroom so she could install a super nice jet tub. Who does that? It's pretty awesome:) Once again, Blake had a blast playing with his cousins. The boys even got to go to a Giants game on Monday night while Julia and I dined with my good friend Andi who now lives up there.
Oh happy days!!!!

Our new backyard fixture

No, we didn't get a pool, a swing set, or a trampoline, but we did put up a hammock this weekend and we all love it. It's so great to lay in it and look up at the stars or enjoy the shade it offers during the afternoon. Blake loves it too. And as for Julia, well who knows what she thinks, she just likes to be anywhere Blake is. Isn't the summer great!!!

I can go to the store again!!

I'm happy to announce that I can go to the store again WITH BLAKE. For a while I dreaded any and every trip to any and every type of store with Blake. He would run around, hide from me and just generally wreak havoc. Something magical has happened. He listens and obeys me for the most part......oh and he also understands bribes ie: if you stay close to Mommy in the store, then you can have a piece of gum in the car. I love that my little boy is growing up. He is so much fun. Now that he talks so well I feel like I can actually have a conversation with him instead of just talking at him. Hooray for Blake, and Hooray for me that I can keep my sanity at the store now with my 2 little people in tow.

Onion Help

I recently had to cut about 6 onions in a row and it was not a fun experience. After complaining about making me cry several times my husband decided that ski goggles would help. Not so much. Does anyone have any idea how to NOT CRY when cutting onions? I love onions but I really hate cutting them.